Chidi Samuel || The federal government on Friday moved to tackle violent ”secessionist” agitation in the south east by deploying troops in what the army has called ”Operation Egwu Eke” ( Python dance2).
The Nigeria army chief of training and operations, DD Ahmadu who announced the deployment of the troops on behalf of the chief of army staff, Lt Gen. Buratai at a news conference on Friday, said the military exercise would commence in the five southeastern states from September 15.
According to the army, the security operation in the south-east is aimed at stamping out kidnapping, armed robbery and violent secessionist agitations.
Ahmadu said, “The commencement of Exercise Egwu Eke II, (python dance II) to be conducted in 82 division area of responsibility, covering Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. The exercise is scheduled to take place from Friday 15 September to Saturday 14 October 2017,” Ahmadu said in a statement he delivered at the news conference.
“As you are all aware, a similar exercise nicknamed Egwu Eke I, (python dance I) was conducted from 27 Nov – 27 Dec 16 within the five south-eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. The objective was to effectively contain the reported cases of kidnapping and other vices prevalent in the south-east region every Yuletide. The effect of the exercise yielded tremendous results as law abiding citizens in the area celebrated the Christmas festivities of 2016 in safer environment than what it used to be.
“Building on this achievement, Exercise Egwu Eke II has become more expedient due to the mindless assassinations (even in religious places), attacks on security personnel and theft of weapons, kidnappings, armed banditry and violent agitations by secessionist groups, amongst other crimes that have recently bedevilled the region.”
He said during the exercise, “emphasis would be placed on raids, cordon and search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points, patrols, humanitarian relief activities such as medical outreach and show of force to curb the rising threat to national security in the south-eastern part of the country”.
Ahmadu also said brigade headquarters would be established in all the southeastern states.
The Nigeria Army first held operation Python dance in November and December 2016.